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Chapter 6
Phryne wakes the next morning and stretching luxuriously she reaches for Jack only to find he is gone, but she finds a note on his pillow.
My love,
Today is the first day of a long journey. Don't forget you have me on your team.
Be good and remember I love you.
P.S. The bell is for you – do not get up because it is only a short walk to the bathroom and you don't want to inconvenience anyone.
"I assure you Inspector none of this is very convenient," Phryne's sarcastic voice echoes in the empty room. Sighing she rings the bell.
A few minutes pass and Jack enters the room. "I thought you were at the station," surprise coloring her voice, but happiness gracing her features.
"No, we don't have the wheel chair yet, and I don't want you walking because I'm not available."
"I'm sorry Jack," Phryne tucks her hair behind her ears. She is so lovely he thinks; no makeup, her lips still slightly swollen from the previous night.
"I think it only fair I have some inconvenience, Phryne. After all, I am fairly certain these are my children." "Ouch!" he barks as a pillow smacks him in the face, "Unfair tactics Miss Fisher!"
"All's fair Jack, you know that," her unrepentant smile causes him to laugh.
"Come along my little mama to be. Let's get you situated for a bit."
She gracefully reaches her arms up to him and he picks her up easily. "I could get used to this Inspector," she purrs in his ear. His deep laugh rumbles through her as she nibbles on his neck and ear lobe.
Once she is in the bathroom he leaves to straighten the bed clothes. He notes continued spotting and replaces the stained sheet with a fresh one thinking that Dot is a very smart, resourceful young woman. He finishes and returns to help Phryne bringing her to the bed and placing her gently on it.
"Now, before I go to the station, I need to speak to the babies. Phryne heaves an exaggerated sigh, but dutifully raises her pajama top giving him better access. He kneels by the bed his mouth almost touching her, his warm breath skating across her pale skin. He presses gently on her stomach receiving an answering push, "Good morning triplets. How are you today? Your Father has to go to work so I want you to be good. I love you." Jack then sings a lullaby to the babies whose response is definite, the pushing and kicking against his hands increasing.
"Good bye Phryne. Dot is bringing breakfast and Cec and Bert are already off to pick up the chair." He kisses her forehead carefully avoiding her lips as he doesn't want to be distracted.
"Have a good day Jack. I will see you later," she smiles knowingly at him smoothing his lapels.
Dot brings breakfast with eggs and toast, milk, juice, tea, scones and fruit.
"Dot, we need to make a list and gather some items," Phryne says between bites.
"Yes, Miss. I'll just get paper and pen." Dot returns with paper and pen in hand. As she returns there is a commotion in the entry way and Phryne can hear Bert talking to Mr. Butler.
In another moment Mr. Butler is at Phryne's door, "Miss, the wheel chair is here. Shall I have Bert and Cec bring it up?"
"Yes, Mr. Butler. Dot please hand me my robe. We wouldn't want to scandalize Bert and Cec," Phryne laughs.
The cabbies lug the wheel chair up the stairs and wheel it through the door. It barely fits and it is so large that Phryne eyes it skeptically. "Let's see if I can maneuver this chair at all."
She slides gracefully into the chair and attempts to move. It does not go well. "Dot let's see if you and I together can do this."
Dot moves to push the chair and she is able to move it slowly, but the large wicker wheel chair is difficult for the two of them – very difficult.
"This is problematic," Phryne comments with a small sigh. "Let's consider alternatives everyone."
"We will," Cec says as Bert wheels Phryne to the bathroom and back before he and Cec take their leave.
Phryne and Dot work on the list:
Look into buying or making a shower
Bring the small teak bench in from the garden to place in the tub
Purchase new books – the latest R. Austin Freeman mystery; Martin Boyd's "The Monforts"; anything that looks interesting
Set up a table for drinks and snacks
Look into installing a phone
Fresh flowers in the bedroom
Bring the gramophone up
"That is a good start, Dot" Phryne says thoughtfully. "I'm hungry, let's have tea."
"Yes Miss," Dot smiles, "I'll be back shortly."
While Dot is gone Phryne amuses herself by doing leg lifts, arm lifts and stretches then contracting and relaxing each of her muscles in turn. She is itching to be up and out of the house wondering what investigations Jack is working. Sighing mournfully, but stroking her belly lightly then feeling around in the areas where Dr. Wilson had indicated, she tries to see if she can distinguish the babies. She can't tell them apart yet, but she resolves to check each day. She takes the journal from the bedside table fingering the leather and contemplating.
Day 1 September 23
The babies are active this morning. They particularly enjoyed their father singing them a lullaby. The wheel chair is not working very well. We must fashion something else or perhaps get a Radio Flyer wagon – something Dot and I can manage.
For Jack whose love pushes the shadows back.
She stares pensively at the blank page thinking of where to begin when the door opens and to her delight Jack appears with lunch. "Ah Jack," Phryne smiles, "I thought you were working through lunch."
"My plan changed when Cec and Bert came to the station to report that this, he indicates the wicker wheel chair with a wave of his hand, is not working as we hoped."
"I can't say I am disappointed," Phryne's voice lowers seductively. "I could use some exercise."
Despite the fact that making love for lunch isn't on his agenda, warmth pools low in his belly as he thinks about Phryne naked in his arms, "Not today, Phryne." At her disappointed pout he grins and leans in to kiss her. "I require a much, much longer lunch if I am feasting on you, and Collins is expecting me back soon."
Her eyes darken at his words a slow smile crossing her features as she grabs his tie to very thoroughly kiss him, her tongue promising later delights. Jack imagines that he will never grow sated with her and nearly says "too bad" to Hugh's lunch hour as his body responds to her kiss and her trailing fingers as they brush delicately against his suit pants and his obvious desire.
Phryne smiles wickedly up at him as she drops her hands knowing she can have him if she wishes, but deciding to let him go…this time.
They eat an enjoyable lunch and Jack carries her to the bathroom. "Later, I promise you my love," Jack huskily breathes in her ear as he places her against the pillows.
"I'm counting on it Inspector," she looks up into his eyes communicating with no further words.
Phryne naps a bit, but the ringing of the phone wakes her from the half sleep. Dot knocks on the door, "Dr. Wilson is on the phone. He wants to come by about dinner time. One of his mother's is in labor and he doesn't want to leave her."
"That is perfectly alright Dot. Invite him to dine with us."
Dot leaves to ring off with Dr. Wilson and reports his acceptance of the dinner invitation. They plan the menu with Mr. Butler which takes up about half an hour of the afternoon. Dot and Mr. Butler manage to wheel Phryne to the bathroom, but the task reiterates the need for a different solution.
The phone rings again and Dot brings news of a disappointing nature, "There's been a murder. The Inspector will be late. He said not to wait dinner."
Phryne nods disappointment marring her features for a few moments, but her face soon clears, "Dot, at least we have Dr. Wilson to entertain us for the evening."
Dot returns to the kitchen to help Mr. Butler and then goes out to purchase some of the items from the list she and Phryne made earlier.
Phryne takes up the journal again.
As I said at the cemetery, Janey rarely cried except when I left her. This meant that except for school I didn't leave her. If our father was home it was best if we weren't in the house. One Saturday around the time of Janey's third birthday we were out walking and came across a cottage that had a riot of flowers in the garden. As you know there was little grass and even fewer flowers in our neighborhood. Janey was completely fascinated. I hadn't the heart to tell her no regarding her desire to get closer to the flowers; there was so little beauty in our world. We went up the path to knock on the door. I reasoned that someone who had such beautiful flowers couldn't refuse Janey. We met Mrs. Hudson that day, and we became like her grandchildren and she our grandmother figure. She gave us milk and biscuits and sandwiches that day; as many as we wanted. Being full was an unusual feeling for us, especially me, unless we were with Aunt Prudence. Mrs. Hudson befriending us brought a ray of sunshine to our lives that I've never forgotten.
I was able to teach Janey her colors and numbers using the flowers. It was always interesting to me that even with the lovely roses and other colorful flowers in Mrs. Hudson's garden, Janey only had eyes for the Daisies. How she loved Daisies!
Mrs. Hudson didn't pry about why we were out alone at such young ages or who our parents were. She just accepted us – two grubby little girls from Collingwood. For three years we had Mrs. Hudson as a bright spot in our lives. She died the year Janey turned six.
It was quite traumatic when we went one Saturday and found her dead. When she didn't answer the door, I sent Janey into the garden and let myself in an unlocked window. She was lying in the floor a rope around her neck and her house, usually so neat and tidy, was ransacked. I had read enough "Penny Dreadfuls" to know that she had likely been murdered. I was so angry that someone would hurt her and by extension Janey that I couldn't cry. I expect that is when the seed of being a detective was actually planted.
We found a constable and we begged him to come see why Mrs. Hudson wasn't opening her door. He finally agreed to come with us and when he climbed through the window, I took Janey and slipped away. A light in the grey of our lives went out that day. Janey and I missed Mrs. Hudson dreadfully. She had been a gentle and consistent person in our young lives who loved us unconditionally. How do you explain to a three year old that she can't go back to the magical garden because Mrs. Hudson is in heaven?
Wiping a tear from her cheek, Phryne lays the journal aside as she hears a commotion in the entry way. A few minutes later Dot appears, Bert and Cec trailing behind her.
Phryne smiles, "To what do I owe the pleasure gentlemen?"
"We have an idea for a chair. Since we only need it for inside, we were thinking of a much smaller chair that would be much lighter weight and narrower so it would be easier for you and Dottie," Cec replies eagerly holding out a rough sketch. "We are stuck at the moment with how to put wheels on it, but we will figure it out."
"Well done you two," Phryne praises them as she reviews the sketch and then puts it on the bedside table their smiles bringing warmth to her chest.
Cec pushes her to the bathroom and back again his mind clearly working on the problem. "Thank you Cec," Phryne says as she climbs back into bed.
The red raggers leave and Dot brings Phryne her makeup so she can feel more put together for dinner. As Phryne applies her red lipstick with careful precision she thinks of something, "Bring the card table up Dot so Dr. Wilson can eat with me since Jack isn't here to carry me down to the parlor.
Dot just finishes setting up the card table for dinner when Dr. Wilson arrives. He and Phryne spend a pleasant hour over dinner and dessert. Phryne finds Dr. Wilson to be a person she feels very comfortable with, and Dr. Wilson finds himself captivated by Phryne.
After dessert Dr. Wilson pushes Phryne to the bathroom, "This chair isn't working, is it?" he questions.
"What was your first clue?" Phryne laughs. Dr. Wilson chuckles merrily with her.
After Phryne is back in the bed, Dr. Wilson washes his hands and examines her. "Have the babies been active today?"
"Oh yes, they have been busy," she responds with a smile. "They especially enjoyed their father singing a lullaby to them."
Dr. Wilson appears very interested in this information, "Do the babies always respond to Inspector Robinson's voice?"
"Yes they do. It may seem silly so don't tell him I told you this," her tone conspiratorial, "but Jack talks to them every day. He gets very close to my abdomen and then talks and sings to them and the babies become very active during this time. Clearly they hear him and respond to him. He will rub my tummy and push back on them as well and then they push back on his hands -almost like it is a game."
Dr. Wilson nods clearly intrigued, "Very interesting my dear. I will have to do some research and see if any of my colleagues have experience with this type of response."
They play a game of Mahjong before Dr. Wilson takes his leave. Dr. Wilson is to become a member of the family before all is said and done.
Once Dr. Wilson leaves, Dot prepares Phryne's "bath" and they wash her hair as well. Dot changes the sheets and lays out fresh night clothes for Phryne. Once Phryne completes her toilette she slides back into the cool sheets wondering when Jack will be home. She settles in with one of the new books Dot purchased to wait for him, but falls asleep before he arrives.
Jack peeks in and sees Phryne sleeping in the soft light of the lamp. He catches his breath at the sight of her wondering if he will ever become so used to seeing her that he isn't moved by the glow of her pale skin and curves her pajamas do very little to conceal. He withdraws and prepares for bed briefly contemplating sleeping in his room, but quickly rejecting this idea. He enjoys wrapping himself around Phryne far too much to sleep alone very often. He had plenty of that during the years Rosie stayed with her sister and even before he reminds himself ruefully. He carefully washes per the doctor's instructions hoping to fulfill his lunchtime promise at some point.
He slips quietly into the bed moving to take her in his arms and cuddling her against his warmth. He sighs softly feeling like he is exactly where he should be. "I love you my Phryne," he whispers against her hair as he allows his eyes to close; her warm body pliant and soothing.
Phryne wakes sometime later, hungry, thirsty and in need of a trip to the loo. She turns in Jack's arms grateful he didn't sleep in his room. Pillowing her head on his chest, she allows her fingers to trace through the whorls of hair there and then lower enjoying the hard planes of his abdomen. She wants to trace even lower, but her rather urgent call of nature requires she put other calls of nature on hold momentarily. "Jack, wake up," she says receiving only a slight grunt in reply.
She shifts to kiss him feather light along his jaw, and he scratches at the places her lips touch but sleeps on. It must have been a challenging day she muses before moving to his mouth. His chiseled lips are parted and relaxed in a way she seldom sees when he is awake, and his long eyelashes sweep his cheek giving her the urge to touch them. She runs her finger across his lips instead, "Jack wake up," her voice louder this time.
"Hmm," he mumbles arms instinctively tightening their hold.
"Jack, darling wake up," this time she pushes insistently on his shoulder her small hand curled into a fist.
Jack opens his eyes slowly blinking as her face comes into focus. He smiles that charming, irresistible smile and tucks her hair behind her ear, "What is it?" he asks his voice raspy with sleep.
"I need to use the loo, and I'm hungry and thirsty," she says with a small apologetic grin.
"Hungry for more than just food I hope," Jack rumbles sleep forgotten.
"Of course Jack," Phryne practically purrs. "When have you found me not hungry for you?"
"Fair point," Jack's voice is amused, but his eyes darken and his pupils dilate.
He carries Phryne to the bathroom, and then to her surprise and delight he carries her to the kitchen laying her on the table. "I think a change of scenery is in order," he says by way of explanation.
Jack quickly prepares hot cocoa and peanut butter sandwiches for them. "Do you want to eat here or go back to bed?"
She considers, "I believe we need to move this tea party back upstairs Inspector or I can't be held accountable for my actions." Her eyes are wide and dark, full of mysterious promise.
Jack's breath catches in his throat; his body responds immediately to what he sees in her eyes. Their gazes lock. "I'll take your word," Jack's voice is low and deep and seductive. He quickly puts the hot chocolate in a thermos and wraps the sandwiches in a tea towel so Phryne can hold them.
They make it back to the bedroom with a bit of frustration on Phryne's part since with her hands full she is unable to reciprocate Jack's kisses to her neck though she does tilt her head to further expose the column of creamy skin to his attentions.
Upon reaching the bedroom Jack drops her gently on the bed, and then taking the thermos from her hands he turns to pour the hot chocolate, "Food first; you need sustenance as I have designs on you."
"How very civilized, Jack," she smirks, "although I am quite peckish."
Jack chuckles softly, "I am quite hungry as well," his eyes glittering as they rake over her with deliberate intensity.
"In that case, please eat, "and taking a bite of her sandwich she smiles cheekily at him reaching for her cup of chocolate while in reality she is no longer hungry or thirsty.
Jack doesn't miss the expression that crosses her face and takes a bite of his sandwich while watching her from beneath his lashes. Dutifully she eats, mindful of Dr. Wilson's instructions.
Jack's eyes fall on the sketch still lying on the bedside table, "What's this?"
Phryne swallows, "Bert and Cec brought it – an idea for a workable chair. They haven't figured out how to do the wheels yet."
Jack studies the picture his brow furrowing in concentration, "I think we could use bicycle tires for this."
"Jack, you are a genius!" Phryne exclaims.
He grins at her, "I'll let them know tomorrow."
Jack places the drawing back on the table and notices Phryne has finished her sandwich, "Do you need or want anything else Phryne?"
"Only you Jack," she flutters her lashes at him playfully.
He takes her cup and brushes the crumbs from the bed then he washes his hands and slides under the sheets. "You have a chocolate mustache," he smiles quirking his lips at her.
She begins to turn to find the tea towel, but Jack stops her, "Let me."
She turns back looking at him her expression soft, clearly hungry for him. Jack kisses her, long slow kisses. He pulls her upper lip into his mouth suckling the chocolate. He releases her lip covering her warm mouth with his hotter one teasing her; his tongue seeking entrance. He plunders her mouth sweeping his tongue across the roof of her mouth and dueling with hers the taste of chocolate and peanut butter mixing with the intoxicating taste that is uniquely Phryne. She sighs against his mouth and Jack groans his need for her in response.
Their hands begin stroking and seeking the other's pleasure as they continue their long, slow kisses undressing each other when the barriers of silk become a hindrance. Jack breaks off a kiss to trail feathery kisses along her jaw and then down her neck to linger on her breasts. He slowly teases her, kissing and laving and tweaking until Phryne is panting and writhing and making mewling noises her hands fisting in his hair. As Jack continues to lavish attention on her breasts, his long fingers trace across her soft skin slowly moving lower to find her warm and ready. He swirls whisper soft against her causing her to gasp. Jack redoubles his kissing efforts as his fingers work a magic of their own, and almost before he knows it Phryne is peaking, her moans of release causing his arousal to throb more firmly against her. As Phryne returns to reality, Jack continues to gently stroke and tease her wanting to pleasure her again and again.
Finally Phryne's dreamy voice reaches him, "Jack, I hunger for you."
"And I you Mrs. Robinson," he replies his voice trembling slightly.
Phryne smiles impishly, "How shall we sort this dilemma Inspector?"
Jack rolls onto his back. "Why don't you show me," he replies silkily his voice deep with heat and need.
Phryne laughs very softly, "Oh I intend to Jack." She proceeds to drape herself gracefully upon him and once she is comfortable, she loves him in such a manner that his dreams will be fueled for months to come.
Jack is not idle. He uses the weapons in his arsenal to full advantage and Phryne's tremors of bliss against those weapons push him over the edge. As her warm mouth and tongue envelope him completely Jack's hips move of their own accord his release rocking through him, his own guttural grunts joining Phryne's higher pitched whimpers.
When they calm a bit Jack realizes he is gripping Phryne quite tightly and that her fingernails are digging into him. He relaxes his hold slightly, but does not let her go. "Are you still hungry Phryne?" he questions not wanting to overtire her even though he is hoping for more.
"Always Jack," she breathes and proceeds to show him just how hungry for him she is.
Later after they clean up and prepare to sleep, Jack wraps Phryne in his arms, her softly content look filling him with deep joy. "I love you Phryne."
She smiles, her eyes glowing in the aftermath, "I love you more."
He grins turning them so that they are on their left sides and they fall asleep Phryne nestled against him. Jack whispering, "She doth make hungry when most she satisfies." Phryne smiles contentedly at the softly uttered words as sleep claims her.